WPL: Breaking barriers and redefining women’s cricket in India

In March 2023, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled the Women’s Premier  League (WPL), a groundbreaking initiative to transform women’s cricket. For decades, women cricketers faced systemic challenges—limited opportunities, unequal pay, and a glaring lack of visibility.

A long-awaited transformation

The WPL arrived as a beacon of hope, offering a platform that promised financial independence and the recognition that women athletes have long deserved. In January 2023, BCCI announced the five successful bidders for the teams, included three Indian Premier League (IPL) teams Mumbai Indians (MI), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and Delhi Capitals (DC).

Unlike sporadic media attention given to women’s cricket, the WPL has thrust women cricketers into the limelight. Players now enjoy unprecedented coverage, with matches broadcast during prime-time slots and discussed passionately across traditional and social media.

Neha Shetty, a journalist and content creator specializing in women’s cricket, stressed the significance of this visibility. “The WPL has allowed young girls and their families to see a future in cricket. It has changed the conversation,  making women’s cricket an aspirational path rather than an afterthought,” she noted. Shetty highlighted how the league has normalized women’s cricket in a country where men have traditionally dominated the sport. 

The league has proven to be a game-changer for players like Shreyanka Patil, who earned a contract with the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) shortly after her WPL debut and then went on to successfully make her India debut. Karunya Keshav, a sports journalist and co-author of The Fire Burns Blue: A History of Women’s Cricket in India, remarked,  “The WPL has pushed the entire cricketing ecosystem to invest more in skill development, coaching,  and infrastructure tailored to female athletes.” She believes the WPL is not just a league but a cultural  movement bringing women cricketers to the forefront. 

Breaking stereotypes, facing challenges 

While the WPL has revolutionized women’s cricket, it has not completely eradicated the deep-rooted  challenges. The most glaring issue remains the pay disparity. Although the league set records for  player auctions, with some contracts reaching figures unheard of in women’s sports, these salaries are  still dwarfed by those of IPL players. “It’s unfair to compare the two leagues  yet,” explained Sharda Ugra, a distinguished sports journalist with over three decades of experience.  “The IPL has had a 16-year head start. Pay parity will come, but it is tied to the WPL’s growth and  revenue.” Ugra, known for her incisive analyses of cricket’s evolving landscape, pointed out that  addressing pay gaps requires sustained efforts and strategic investments. 

Another challenge lies in ensuring the benefits of the WPL extend beyond urban centers. While the  league has inspired urban audiences, grassroots development in rural areas remains underwhelming.  Annesha Ghosh, a journalist specialising in women’s sports, stressed the need for targeted programs  to nurture talent in underrepresented regions. “The WPL has opened doors for more conversations  around women’s cricket, but the change needs to trickle down to remote areas where cricket is not yet  a dominant sport for women,” she said. Ghosh’s work has highlighted the journeys of  underrepresented athletes and the systemic barriers they face. 

Despite these challenges, the league has shattered many stereotypes. It has demonstrated that  women’s cricket is just as competitive, exciting, and commercially viable as men’s. Shetty noted,  “The mix of domestic and international talent has raised the standard of competition, proving doubters  wrong. The WPL has shown that women’s cricket can stand independently and command attention.” 

Media coverage and cultural shifts 

One of the most significant impacts of the WPL has been the shift in media representation of women’s  cricket. Historically, women cricketers received minimal coverage, often limited to occasional profiles  or “inspirational” narratives. The WPL has changed this. Media outlets now cover the league with the 

same intensity and depth as the men’s game. The WPL is no longer an afterthought from match  analyses to player stories. 

However, experts caution that sustainable media interest is crucial. Keshav highlighted that  media houses must invest in knowledgeable reporters to maintain consistent and ethical coverage.  “Lazy reporting, like reducing players to their gender or ignoring the challenges they’ve faced, will only undermine the league’s progress,” she noted. 

Paving the way for a brighter future 

The WPL is more than a sporting event; it is a movement reshaping societal attitudes toward women’s  sports. Packed stadiums, high-profile sponsorships, and a surge in fan engagement are testament to the  league’s success in capturing the public’s imagination. More importantly, the WPL has normalized  women’s cricket for younger audiences. “For today’s kids, seeing women and men play cricket  professionally will be the norm,” said Ugra. “That’s the real cultural shift we’re witnessing.” 

Globally, the WPL’s success has inspired other cricket boards to invest more in the existing women’s  programs. From the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia (still the world leader when it comes to the women’s game) to The Hundred in England, the ripple  effects of the WPL are evident despite the headstart they had. These leagues are now adopting similar strategies to boost visibility,  pay, and infrastructure for women’s cricketers. 

The road ahead 

While the WPL has achieved much quickly, it is just the beginning. To fully realize its potential,  sustained investment, grassroots outreach, and a focus on pay parity are essential. Expanding the  league to include more teams and players will provide opportunities for budding cricketers  nationwide. The focus can’t solely be on the franchise league and domestic cricket needs more attention and measures like central contracts if you want to catch up with the global leaders like Australia and England. 

The WPL’s success underscores an undeniable truth: women’s cricket is no longer a sidebar in sports.  It is a dynamic, evolving entity that commands attention and respect. As the league grows, it will  shape the future of cricket and serve as a model for gender equality in sports worldwide. 

The Women’s Premier League is here to stay and is already making history.